TL;DR Summary
Pulaski Community School District’s 2022 referendum project was a $69.8 million, three-year investment spanning seven facilities. As Construction Manager, C.D. Smith supported district priorities through major renovations and additions at Sunnyside Elementary School and Hillcrest Elementary School. The work modernized building systems, expanded capacity, improved safety and created flexible learning environments designed for how students learn today.
From Renovation to Reimagination at Pulaski Community School District
Great buildings support great learning. That belief was at the heart of C.D. Smith’s work as Construction Manager for Pulaski Community School District’s 2022 referendum project, a visionary $69.8 million investment spanning seven facilities over three years.
Among the most transformative efforts were Hillcrest Elementary and the renovation and expansion of Sunnyside Elementary School. Together, the projects reflect what is possible when district leadership, thoughtful planning and learning-focused design align with construction execution.
A District-Wide Investment in Learning
Pulaski’s referendum work extended across seven facilities over three years, supporting long-term learning goals through building modernization, capacity planning and intentional space design. The focus was not only on making buildings look updated, but on ensuring they function as powerful tools for learning.
Sunnyside Elementary School: Expanding Space and Modernizing Systems
Originally built in 1980, the 64,000-square-foot Sunnyside Elementary School had reached capacity and needed both additional space and modernization. The project included extensive renovations to the existing building, with major upgrades to plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems.
The most visible change came through the addition of 45,700 square feet of new space, designed to support 4K, kindergarten and first-grade students. The new wing features flexible learning environments, a secure main entrance, a state-of-the-art kitchen and a bright, double-height cafeteria that welcomes students and staff each day.
Hillcrest Elementary School: Doubling the Facility with Light-Filled Learning Spaces
Hillcrest Elementary School received significant improvements through the 2022 referendum, featuring 55,000 square feet of new construction and 49,000 square feet of renovations, effectively doubling the size of the facility.
Enhancements include collaborative learning spaces in the library and common areas, along with high ceilings and expansive windows that fill the building with natural light to support an engaging learning environment.
Bringing Light to the Heart of Sunnyside
One of Sunnyside’s most striking features is the Student Collaboration Hub, a dynamic central space created through significant demolition and reimagining of the existing structure. A large skylight now floods the area with natural light, addressing a long-standing challenge in a building where the basement accounted for nearly half its square footage and had lacked natural light for over 40 years.
“This transformation is so much more than a building project. It’s a reflection of our values. With open, welcoming learning spaces and a design that brings natural light into the very heart of the school, Sunnyside has become a place that truly lives up to its name.”
Allison Space, Superintendent, Pulaski Community School District
Leadership Engagement that Turns Design into a Learning Tool
Pulaski’s leadership was actively engaged throughout the process, ensuring the spaces would not only look modern but also function as powerful tools for learning.
“Simply adding modern furniture and open spaces wasn’t enough. True transformation requires an understanding of how to use those spaces effectively. Our design team and C.D. Smith had the expertise and experience to assist us in reaching our goals.”
Allison Space, Superintendent, Pulaski Community School District
Transforming Sunnyside from Dark to Dynamic
The collaboration hub transformation is a clear example of how strategic planning and construction execution can reshape how a school feels and functions. The skylight installation sequence shows the work behind the outcome, from early roof conditions to demolition to the finished light-filled learning space:
1. An aerial view highlights the roof before demolition began.
2. Crews carefully remove the roof to make way for the skylight.
3. A new collaboration hub is opened to the basement, filling the space with natural light.
4. From above, the skylight is lowered into place to brighten the heart of the school.
5. Inside, the skylight installation takes shape, flooding learning spaces with daylight.
A Model for Future-Focused Education Facilities
Sunnyside Elementary School is a model of what’s possible when thoughtful design, strategic planning and community investment come together to support the future of education. Across Pulaski Community School District, the referendum work reflects a commitment to learning environments that support students, staff and the community for decades to come.
Key Takeaways
- Pulaski’s 2022 referendum was a $69.8 million investment spanning seven facilities over three years.
- Sunnyside Elementary combined major system upgrades with a 45,700 square foot addition designed for early learners.
- Hillcrest Elementary doubled in size through 55,000 square feet of new construction and 49,000 square feet of renovations.
- The Student Collaboration Hub and skylight reimagined dark interior space into a bright, central learning environment.
- District leadership engagement helped ensure spaces function as tools for learning, not only modernized interiors.
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Date: Fall 2025 | Beneath The Hard Hat® Magazine
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FAQ
What was included in Pulaski Community School District’s 2022 referendum project?
The referendum was a $69.8 million, three-year investment spanning seven facilities, including major work at Sunnyside Elementary School and Hillcrest Elementary School.
What were the major improvements at Sunnyside Elementary School?
The project included extensive renovations and major upgrades to plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems, plus a 45,700 square foot addition with flexible learning environments, a secure main entrance, a state-of-the-art kitchen and a double-height cafeteria.
How did Hillcrest Elementary School change through the referendum work?
Hillcrest received 55,000 square feet of new construction and 49,000 square feet of renovations, doubling the size of the facility and adding collaborative learning spaces with natural light through high ceilings and expansive windows.
